DE 98-004
BELL ATLANTIC/USN COMMUNICATIONS
Order Nisi Approving Resale Agreement
O R D E R N O. 22,856
February 19, 1998
On January 27, 1998, New England Telephone and
Telegraph Company (Bell Atlantic) and USN Communications (USN)
jointly filed with the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission
(Commission) a resale Agreement (Agreement) negotiated pursuant
to Section 252(e) of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (TAct).
This Agreement establishes terms for the discount
purchase of Bell Atlantic telecommunications services for resale
by USN to retail customers. Business and residence services are
provided to USN at a mutually agreed upon percentage discount
from the Bell Atlantic tariff rates. Service establishment
charges and other charges related to providing service are
expressed in dollar amounts.
Discounts in this filing range from 17.30% to 20.25%
from retail and are the same as the Statement of Generally
Available Terms (SGAT) filed by Bell Atlantic on July 11, 1997.
All other pricing is consistent with the current SGAT which
includes revisions filed with the Commission on December 22,
1997. Per order 22,692 (August 25, 1997), the SGAT took effect
on October 20, 1997 subject to continued review and approval by
the Commission. Unlike recently approved interconnection
agreements, this Agreement is not denoted an interim contract
which will govern the parties' terms until the Commission
approves the SGAT. However the terms, conditions and prices are
the same as the currently filed SGAT.
Bell Atlantic will provide training to USN regarding
all services requested as well as reasonable amounts of
information to assist marketing efforts.
Staff recommends approval of this negotiated Agreement
based on a review of the summary provided by Bell Atlantic, the
Agreement and verbal clarification provided by Bell Atlantic.
We accept Staff's recommendation, finding that the
Agreement meets the standards of 252(e)(2)(A) of the TAct for
approval. The Agreement does not appear to be discriminatory to
any carrier not a party to the negotiations and is consistent
with the public interest, convenience, and necessity. We will
approve it on a Nisi basis in order to provide any interested
party an opportunity to request a hearing pursuant to RSA 374:26.
Based upon the foregoing, it is hereby
ORDERED NISI, that the Agreement negotiated between
Bell Atlantic and USN is approved; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that pursuant to N.H. Admin. Rules,
Puc 1601.05, the Petitioner shall cause a copy of this Order Nisi
to be published once in a statewide newspaper of general
circulation, such publication to be no later than February 26,
1998 and to be documented by affidavit filed with this office on
or before March 5, 1998; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that all persons interested in
responding to this petition be notified that they may submit
their comments or file a written request for a hearing on this
matter before the Commission no later than March 12, 1998; and
it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that any party interested in
responding to such comments or request for hearing shall do so no
later than March 19, 1998; and it is
FURTHER ORDERED, that this Order Nisi shall be
effective March 23, 1998, unless the Commission provides
otherwise in a supplemental order issued prior to the effective
date.
By order of the Public Utilities Commission of New
Hampshire this nineteenth day of February, 1998.
Douglas L. Patch Bruce B. Ellsworth Susan S. Geiger
Chairman Commissioner Commissioner
Attested by:
Thomas B. Getz
Executive Director & Secretary